US5098097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Football
Assignee: Spalding and Evenflo Companies Inc
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Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2011-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved American football comprising an inflatable, one piece bladder formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material; four panels secured together over the bladder, each panel being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form four seams; an essentially inextensible liner formed of four liner components, each liner component being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together and to an associated panel by stitching to form four seams, the liner components being located between the panels and the bladder, an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels and liner components are not stitched; lacing located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching; closure means comprising two patches and a tongue located between the bladder and liner components, the patches being stitched to the liner components, the patches being stitched to the liner components and panels on opposite sides of the opening, the tongue being stitched to a liner component and panels and extending to a location between the bladder and patches; and a counter weight of a high density elastomeric material, and of a weight substantially equal to that of the lacing and closure means and molded to the bladder externally thereof along the seam of the panels opposite the lacing.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Kennedy
- 👤 II Joseph F. Baltronis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B41/00; A63B2041/005; A63B2243/00; A63B2243/0066; A63B2243/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An American football comprising: an inflatable, one piece bladder formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material; four panels secured together over the bladder, each panel being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form four seams; an essentially inextensible liner formed of four liner components, each liner component being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together and to an associated panel by stitching to form four seams, the liner components being located between the panels and the bladder; an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels and liner components are not stitched; lacing located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching; closure means comprising two patches and a tongue located between the bladder and liner components, the patches being stitched to the liner component and panels on opposite sides of the opening, the tongue being stitched to a liner component and panel and extending to a location between the bladder and patches; and a counter weight of an elastomeric material, and of a weight substantially equal to that of said lacing and closure means and molded to the bladder externally thereof along the seam of the panels opposite said lacing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An American football comprising: an inflatable, one piece bladder formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material; four panels secured together over the bladder, each panel being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form four seams; an essentially inextensible liner formed of four liner components, each liner component being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together and to an associated panel by stitching to form four seams, the liner components being located between the panels and the bladder; an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels and liner components are not stitched; lacing located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching; closure means comprising two patches and a tongue located between the bladder and liner components, the patches being stitched to the liner component and panels on opposite sides of the opening, the tongue being stitched to a liner component and panel and extending to a location between the bladder and patches; and a counter weight of an elastomeric material, and of a weight substantially equal to that of said lacing and closure means and molded to the bladder externally thereof along the seam of the panels opposite said lacing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A football comprising a generally elliptical bladder, generally oval panels seamed thereover, lacing components along one seam and a counter weight secured along a seam thereof diametrically opposite said lacing components and equal to the weight of said lacing components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A football comprising a generally elliptical bladder, generally oval panels seamed thereover, lacing components along one seam and a counter weight secured along a seam thereof diametrically opposite said lacing components and equal to the weight of said lacing components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The football as set forth in claim 2, wherein the bladder is one piece and inflatable, formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The football as set forth in claim 3, wherein the panels are of a similar, generally oval shaped with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form four seams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The football as set forth in claim 4 and further including an essentially inextensible liner formed of four liner components, each liner component being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together and to an associated panel by stitching to form four seams, the liner components being located between the panels and the bladder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The football as set forth in claim 5 and further including an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels and liner components are not stitched.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The football as set forth in claim 4 and further including lacing located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The football as set forth in claim 4 and further including closure means comprising two patches and a tongue located between the bladder and liner components, the patches being stitched to the liner components and panels on opposite sides of the opening, the tongue being stitched to a liner component and panel and extending to a location between the bladder and patches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The football as set forth in claim 8 wherein the counter weight is of an elastomeric material and of a size and shape substantially equal to that of the lacing and closure means and molded to the bladder external thereof along the seam of the panels opposite the lacing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The football as set forth in claim 9 wherein the counter weight is elongated with a rectangular cross section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The football as set forth in claim 10 wherein the counterweight is fabricated of an elastomeric material with a high density filler material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The football as set forth in claim 11, wherein the elastomeric material is butyl rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The football as set forth in claim 12, wherein the filler is barium sulfate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The football as set forth in claim 12 wherein the filler is tungsten powder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
A football comprising: an inflatable, one piece bladder formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material; panels secured together over the bladder, each panel being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form seams; an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels are not stitched; closure means and lacing means located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching; and counter weight means secured interiorly of the panels and of a weight corresponding to that of the closure means and lacing means to symmetrically balance the football so that a non-wobbly spiral pass may be thrown.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
A football comprising: an inflatable, one piece bladder formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material; panels secured together over the bladder, each panel being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form seams; an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels are not stitched; closure means and lacing means located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching; and counter weight means secured interiorly of the panels and of a weight corresponding to that of the closure means and lacing means to symmetrically balance the football so that a non-wobbly spiral pass may be thrown.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |